Tennial Granted Sixth Year by NCAA
1/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 5, 2008
Mobile, Alabama - As Tulsa continues preparations for Sunday night's GMAC Bowl game against Bowling Green, Golden Hurricane Head Coach Todd Graham received news late Friday that running back Courtney Tennial has been granted a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA and will be able to suit up for the Hurricane for the 2008 season.
Tennial suffered an Achilles injury during two-a-day drills in August and has missed the entire season. Tennial continues to make great progress in his rehabilitation process.
Tennial transferred from the University of Oklahoma in January 2005 with two years of eligibility remaining. He had to sit out the 2005 campaign and in 2006 led the Hurricane in rushing. Tennial received a medical red-shirt season in 2003 at Oklahoma and did not see playing time in 2004.
"I'm so excited for Courtney and for our football team," said Graham. "It's great news to know that he's going to have another year. He'll be one of the premier backs in the country, so we're very excited for him and his family. It was the right thing to do, and you like it when they do the right thing. We're excited about Courtney and next year."
"It's been real tough sitting out, but I got the news from Coach Graham that I'm coming back next year," said Tennial. "I'm real excited to get back on the field with these guys and be able to help out a little bit more.
"My rehab is coming along good. I'm up and running right now," added Tennial. "I'm waiting to start doing lateral movements and some other things to get it back to were I feel it's 100-percent. I can't wait to get back with the team.
"When I was told, I actually started jumping up and down, and told some of my teammates and called my mom. I'm excited," added Tennial.
A year ago, Tennial rushed for a team-high 845 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Hurricane. He also caught 15 passes for 181 yards and two TDs. His 16 total touchdowns and 14 rushing TDs both ranked second on the school's single-season lists for touchdowns. Tennial led Tulsa in scoring with 96 points to rank sixth on the school's single season scoring chart.
In his first start a season ago, Tennial rushed for 120 yards and one touchdown in a victory over Southern Miss.
Next season, Tulsa will have both Tennial and 2,000-yard career rusher Tarrion Adams in the same backfield. Adams, a junior, has gained 1,113 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this year.
In their careers, the two backs have combined for 2,861 and 31 touchdowns on the ground, while catching 96 passes for 1,060 yards and seven TDs.
"It's very exciting to add Courtney to the weapons we have for next season, and when people see the recruiting class we're going to put together for this February, it will only get better. It will be an exciting, exciting bunch and were excited about the future," added Graham.
